Category Archives: custom backdrops

Using powerful imagery and high-quality backdrops, Charles H. Stewart Backdrops offers an impressive array of options for your next school play, recital, concert, party or children’s theater. Setting the mood and scene is a major component of the success of any performance.

From fantasy worlds to jungle safaris and treasure maps to classic fairy tales, the backdrop options for your next event are plentiful and will transform your space into something truly out of this world. Let’s take a closer look at some of the themes and backdrops available for your next children’s performance.

Treasure Maps

Ahoy, ye mateys! “X” marks the spot for pirates and landlubbers alike. From sandy beaches to treasure chests filled with gold coins, our treasure map backdrops set the scene for many performances centered around the pirate world. These backdrops would be ideal for children’s theater performances of Peter Pan, Finding Neverland, Treasure Island, SpongeBob the Musical, or HMS Pinafore.

This Treasure Map Tab Backdrop is currently for sale and depicts an old parchment map with pistols, an “X” marking the spot and a pirate’s sword.

Jungles, Gardens & Forests

Many children’s stories and fairytales take place in lush jungles, fanciful gardens or mysterious forests. Jungle Book, Alice in Wonderland, Into the Woods, The Lion King, Madagascar, or Shrek the Musical are just a few that children love to view and take part in.

This Fairyland Forest Backdrop would be ideal for shows such as Snow White, Shrek, or Alice in Wonderland. It illustrates a lush green forest shrouded by shadows, just mysterious enough to have audience members sitting on the edges of their seats.

If you are looking for a jungle setting, this Jungle Backdrop shows a thick jungle with animals such as an elephant, tiger, lemur and exotic birds.

If you seek an enchanted garden, this Backdrop is ideal. It features butterflies, wildflowers, and a giant oak tree. The soft color palette makes for a whimsical backdrop for your performance.

Toys & Games Backdrops

For holiday-themed shows, these toyshop backdrops set a fun and exciting mood! This Toy Shop Backdrop is filled with toys for boys and girls, from wooden trains to tea party set-ups and stuffed animals galore. Dollhouses, rocking horses and pretend play items make for a unique backdrop for your child-centric event.

Hosting a carnival-themed party or event? This Carousel Backdrop is a great choice for creating a festive environment. Illuminated with carnival lights, a towering slide and a movie screen, the backdrop is suitable for all sorts of events and recitals.

Explore our site’s children-centric backdrops and search by category. Most are available to rent, while some are currently for sale.

Godspell is a time-honored musical that touches on the themes of life, loyalty, and love as told in a series of parables, according to the Gospel of Matthew. The musical, which first came to Broadway in 1971, was one of the first musical theatre offerings from composer Stephen Schwartz who would later go on to write such well-known hits as Wicked, Pippin, and Children of Eden.

The Story of Godspell

Godspell has been a favorite musical of theater groups and professionals for decades as it can be adapted to different audiences and settings. The story of Godspell follows a series of well-known parables that are found in the Gospel of Matthew and are told by philosophers and thinkers as well as by Jesus directly. The cast uses many different acting methods such as comedy, pantomime, and physical humor to tell the stories.

The music of Godspell can be described as both modern rock and rock opera depending upon the angle that each production takes. Musical favorites include “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord,” “Learn Your Lessons Well,” “All for the Best,” “All Good Gifts,” “Turn Back, O Man,” and “By My Side.”

As the parables continue throughout the performance, the last days of Jesus draw near and each cast member must deal with their own questions and doubts. Some of the most beloved, yet haunting scenes by the small cast are the Last Supper and the Crucifixion of Christ which leave audiences in tears.

Backdrops for Godspell

One of the more unique aspects of this spiritual and religious performance is that it can be set practically anywhere from an urban setting to one at a neighborhood playground thus emphasizing the concept that we are all children of Christ no matter where we are in the world.

Here are a few of our suggestions for potential backdrops that include urban and suburban settings as well as schools and outdoor locations. Choose what works best for your theater group and get started practicing this amazing and beloved musical.

A popular option for a backdrop is the city skyline. We suggest a few that may work for your organization’s performance. This Night Skyline Backdrop #2451 depicts a night skyline with a bridge and the reflection of city lights in the sky. This is perfect for the setting of a modern-day Godspell performance.

A daytime setting is also an option. This Daytime New York Skyline Backdrop #2226 shows an image of Downtown Manhattan with the Empire State Building prominently displayed.

For groups that wish to have a more historical twist to the performance, there are several backdrops that depict ancient cities and scenes. This Roman Street Backdrop #2213 gives the appearance of being in olden times with the Colonnade looking out over Rome.

Another option is the backdrop of the Egyptian Landscape #1970. This one shows the Pyramids and the Sphinx set against a light blue sky.

To explore all of the backdrops appropriate for Godspell visit the show suggestion page and get your order started.

I think we can all agree that a professionally created backdrop can determine the tone, mood, and setting of a performance, whether it’s on Broadway or your local dance school recital.

We shared in one of our recent blogs the impact of backdrops. We stated that scenery such as a backdrop can, “truly set the stage for every performance or presentation. The effect is that a backdrop can create a mood that ranges from a dark, scary tone to a bright, happy one and everything in between.”

Knowing the importance of backdrops is one thing, finding one that fits your specific needs is another. What if your performance is not a typical one? What if you have scoured all your resources and can’t seem to find one that fits your musical, performance, dance recital, or business needs?

Backdrops by Charles Stewart can create a custom backdrop that suits all of your needs.

Why Are Custom Backdrops Needed?

We are often asked why a custom backdrop would be needed if we have so many in our inventory. The answer is two fold.

One main reason an organization may need a custom made backdrop would be to make the scene and color palette fit the brand of the company being presented.

Another reason a group may want a custom backdrop includes the idea that the show may be unique or have special needs like being held outdoors as many performances have shifted to in this age of coronavirus.

A Word About Our Custom Backdrops

We have the production capabilities to create any backdrop you can imagine. We do not, however, design the backdrops. We leave that artistic aspect to our clients.

We will take your designs and give some input, if needed. But, in general, we will create an exact duplicate of the design you submit. We caution all of our clients to be sure the design is exactly as you want it before making your final decision on production.

Our backdrops will include a 2” jute webbing with grommets across the top, hemmed sides, and a small pipe pocket across the bottom. Ties are optional ($25 fee to include them).

The cost of our custom backdrops really depends on a few factors including size, speed at which you need it completed, and the complexity of the design. Most of our 18×42 custom backdrops are priced at $3000 and up. For larger backdrops, 20×42, the prices begin at $3500.

To start the process of getting your custom backdrop underway, we offer a free quote and then will start work once we have received a 50% down payment on the work to be completed.

Talk to our team about starting your custom backdrop and see how it can positively impact your next performance.